RACE 1 - (4) JAY BRACKEN A started his U.S. career with a pair of very encouraging starts in NJ but
faltered a bit on the lead at Chester, weakening to 3rd as the 3/5 choice - the 3 weeks off may actually
benefit him, and we'll give him top billing for his YR debut. (5) BUCHANNON HANOVER actually
finished ahead of the top choice in PA, finishing 2nd in that same race - likely bled in his next but raced ok
on 1/14, adding Lasix and pacing evenly in a tough spot....could be the main danger. (2) LOUS BEACH
was just 1 for 14 here last year (1 for 20 overall) but changed hands at the end of 2022 and started off '23
with a win for his new connections - figures to be a solid player in his Hilltop return. (1) THRESHOLD
took a couple of months off after tailing for the Dynamic Duo - his qualifier is hard to really gauge, but he
did race well here last summer - figures to be overbet from this spot, but still belongs in exotics. (8) VELS
LETSROLL SOUTH seems to have some ability and raced better last week than the line might suggest -
brutal spot, though, and likely looking at only a minor share. (6) SWEET SHUNEY MOON likely fits ok
with these (arriving from Ohio) but his barn has definitely been off to a slow start so far in '23 - minor share
only. (3) LETMECALLYOUBACK has been away for 6 weeks and figures to be short this time around. (7)
JKS ON THE MOVE draws poorly and just seems a bit below several of the main players.
RACE 2 - (5) DRAGONS LUCKY LADY came up a little light at the end last week but she was off 4
weeks and used hard from Post 7 - tighter now, starts from a better spot and we'll give her the narrow edge.
(4) LINE EM UP stayed busy during the winter break, scoring a career best 1:52.1 victory at The Swamp -
she couldn't quite hang on last week, but she'll have every chance to make amends tonight - the main
danger. (6) CALLMEQUEENBEE A doesn't seem to be at her best right now and the draw won't help her
cause - needs a contested pace for a chance in here, and that doesn't seem likely to materialize - use
underneath only. (1) BALFAST N took no $$ last week and was never in play - could be tighter now, lands
the pole, and has a chance to rally late for a share. (2) BETTER WATCH IT has some solid tries at this
level and does add Lasix for tonight - she's also been away since 12/13, and may very well need a start
before we see her best. (3) WOODMERE SKYROLLER ended the year with a weak effort and started the
new year off the same way - waiting to see some better signs. (7) NORMANS MADELINE reverses form a
few times every year but this doesn't seem like a spot for it.
RACE 3 - (3) COALFORD BET ALINE was hard to gauge off his 2 qualifiers but the import from the UK
certainly raced well in his first start, pacing a big final quarter to be a hard charging 3rd - meets a couple of
interesting newcomers tonight, but we'll give him top billing (hoping for a more aggressive try). (8) OAKW
OOD VEGAS IR is another import from the UK - his qualifier doesn't really stand out but it's hard to
imagine his top shelf connections would import an Irish horse that couldn't be a threat in a NW2 field -
also, that 15-1 ML does make him hard to resist! (1) C BET HANOVER has three 2nds from his 5 local
starts, with breaks in the other two - he has the speed to overcome Post 8 so obviously he'll get to call the
shots from the pole - would be no surprise at all. (4) LYONS PRIDE is just 1 for 23 lifetime but he's been
facing better in Canada and NJ - should fit perfectly with these, and would be hard to leave out of exotics.
(2) AMBITIOUSBEACHBOY was short in his first local start but that has been the case with most from
this barn - eligible to be tighter tonight, and maybe grab a piece. (5) RED RIVER SAL has been racing well
at Monti but it's hard to say how he'll fit here - maybe 3rd/4th? (6) TREVORS HUNT grabbed a couple of
3rds here not too long ago but tonight's tough draw may see him struggle to replicate that. (7) KICKS LIKE
A MULE makes his 3YO debut and feels like a work in progress.
RACE 4 - (1) BLUEBIRD RECON had a terrific 2021 season and was ever better for much of 2022 - did
finally start to go south after being claimed by his current connections back in October, but the winter break
did seem to re-energize him and his start last week was sharp - sold chance starting from the pole. (2) EDD
ARD HANOVER moves to a barn that unexpectedly came to life towards the end of '22 and has started off
the 2023 season in fine form - good draw, major switch to Gingras, and a very logical threat tonight. (5)
REAGAN BLUE CHIP was involved in a quick opening half last week and was right there 2nd to the top
of the lane before weakening to 3rd (off the bad date) - he'll be a much better price tonight, and he's not a
bad one to at least consider. (4) AIR FORCE HANOVER banked $106K last year but still felt like he
disappointed more often than he delivered - started off the new year with a dull one, and he'd be hard to
endorse for more than a smaller piece tonight. (6) KEY ADVISOR landed on a horrible trip last week and
deserves a pass - tough spot, but not a bad bomb for 3rd/4th. (8) PADUKA N wasn't terrible last week but
he draws horribly for the 7th time in the last 8 starts and figures to have a tough time reaching again
tonight. (7) CAVIART SARGENT was super for a long time but tailed off before the end of the year and
his first start back was dull - waiting for a sign of life before hopping back on his team. (3) BRAZEN BRA
ZILIAN probably needs a lot easier to be any kind of real threat.
RACE 5 - (1) OUR CORELLI N hit a long rough patch in the latter part of 2022 but looked much better in
his first start back in '23 - moves all the way inside, and may have found himself a winning spot. (2) SOHO
CHELSEAA returned sharp of the winter break, converting a two hole trip into a victory last week - steps
up a notch, but this class is still in his comfort zone - remains a legitimate threat. (3) REBELLIOUS cut the
mile last week and just couldn't hold off #2 - he's also moving up tonight, but a good trip can pit him right
there once again. (4) CAVIART REAGAN appeared short in his seasonal debut but could be tighter with
that start under his belt - he draws outside a trio of solid contenders, but can still make some noise if the trip
goes his way. (7) SAYING GRACE N left from Post 7 last week, dropped in 4th then finished well to be
3rd - may be able to leave here as well, and that could lead to another decent piece. (5) SAULSBROOK
HERO was dull in his 2023 debut and really wasn't looking all that great to close out '22 - would like to see
a better effort before considering him for a bigger slice. (6) MY ULTIMATE STAR A hasn't really thrived
since arriving from Australia and may need to be in easier to have any real say. (8) GOTTA MINUTE N
doesn't figure to be able to get close from out here.
RACE 6 - (5) SHECANDANCE N has hit board in all 6 starts since changing barns and has won her last 2
Yonkers starts - remains the one to beat for tonight. (2) KICKUPYAHEELS N was sent off co-favored with
the top choice last week, cut the mile but proved no match in the lane - needs to be a bit sharper for a
chance to turn the tables on her main foe. (4) PAIGES GIRL should be tighter this week after last week's
first over try - she'll need an easier trip to threaten the top pair, though. (6) NUTTINBUTTHEBEST shook
free from the pocket last week and was able to score the 7-1 upset - she's shown that she can beat these, but
it'll be a lot harder to find such a kind trip from this spot. (7) ACEFOURTYFOUR ALEX left alertly last
week, sat the 3 hole and finished right behind the top two - she'll need some Gingras magic to work her
way into the hunt from out here, though. (1) ALWAYS B MIMI draws best but has been away since 12/22
and may not be sharp enough to really take advantage of the draw- tough call (3) BOTTOMOFTHENINTH
tends to go on and off the bit during her miles, and that's hurt her in her local appearances - willing to throw
in for 3rd/4th with the inside draw. (8) TOBAGO TIME was dull in her '23 debut and now draws Post 8.
RACE 7 - (2) FUNATTHEBEACH N is getting the call here but it's a tepid one - the classy winner of
$592K last year hasn't been close to his best in some time, but it's not like he's been "terrible" - this just
feels like a big wake up spot for him....but don't fall in love at a very short price! (6) CARLISIMO is a
possible upsetter - he chased home an uncontested COVERED BRIDGE last week, and MAY be able to
blast off the car and grab a trip tonight - worth considering. (1) BRAEVIEW BONDI A is a very consistent
performer and should be sitting close to the pace from this spot...and that gives him at least a chance to pull
off a mild upset. (3) STOP STARING saved ground to pick up 4th off the hiatus last week, and may be able
to grab another piece with a similar trip tonight. (4) LIVINGTHEBEACHLIFE shipped in sharp and was
very well backed for his YR debut last week, but just couldn't sustain his first over bid well enough - we'll
see if he can do better tonight with an easier journey. (5) SOMETHING BETTOR A was also caught first
over in his local debut and the recent import held very nicely for 3rd - could easily grab a share of this with
a similar effort. (8) UNCLE JORD A was able to leave the gate last week, leading to a pocket trip and very
good 2nd - hard to see him being as fortunate tonight from Post 8, though. (7) JUSTA LITTLE BIT A has
been non-functional in his 3 U.S. starts.
RACE 8 - (1) MUDVILLE shipped in showing solid PA form then raced very well upon arrival, putting in
a sustained rally to finish 3rd- moves all the way inside, and may be able to take advantage. (4) FARMERS
TAN went right to the top in his 2023 return and held them all off except for the tripsitting #7 (though DQ'd
to 6th in a somewhat confusing ruling by the judges) - his barn has been sending out live ones, and this guy
can be a big threat once again. (2) KIMANI N came up a little short at the end after a first over bid last
week but he's found a home at this level, and could be tighter this time - very possible. (7) LETTUCERIPR
ITAA has now been 1st or 2nd in 22 of his last 42 starts...and that includes last week's pocket victory - can
never be counted out, but he does face a much tougher task starting from Post 7 tonight. (6) CASHNCAM
will need a lot to go his way to threaten from this spot but he did show up enough times last year to at least
merit a look IF the price is juicy enough. (3) HUDSEN A raced well here a few times but his current form
is a bit lacking - leaning towards others. (5) CARRACCI HANOVER hasn't been close to his best in some
time - needs to find some of that better form.
RACE 9 - Very difficult race! (5) NOWHERE CREEK A was a bit camera shy last year though he did race
well plenty of times (especially late in the season) - he figures to be a good price, and is just one of many in
here that can have a case made for them. (4) SAVE ME A DANCE had really gone south in his last few
starts of '22 but did turn in a more encouraging effort last week - if even close to his best, he'd be a handful
in here...but it's hard to say where he's at right now, and he does figure to be overbet. (1) JKS CHAMP
appears to have some ability but he was 0 for 23 out of town last year - he's also exiting a very low % barn,
and will start from the pole (with Bartlett) for his new barn....could go either way. (2) RANDOM HANOV
ER was racing very well out of town before getting stuck at the top levels at Dover for the last few starts -
he's eligible to be a threat with these tonight. (7) MOONLIGHT SHADOW was a very sharp winner off the
winter break (for a hot barn) but he moves up in class tonight, while also drawing outside...and that's never
an easy hill to climb. (6) ITALIAN DELIGHT N doesn't look terrific on paper but his barn sent out a
VERY live player in the last race on Monday night - that 20-1 ML price looks at least a bit tempting. (3)
MISSILE SEELSTER throws some good ones now and then but this just doesn't feel like a spot where we
should expect a wake up call. (8) KILOWATT KID N probably needs both post and class relief before he
can be a legitimate threat.
RACE 10 - (2) BENHOPE RULZ N got a little tired at the end last week, and ended up finishing 3rd - he
could be tighter now, and he also gets an important class drop - maybe this is a winning spot? (3) ROCK
DIAMONDS N landed in a no chance spot last week and paced evenly in the back - he had success here a
few years back, and he may be able to land on a decent trip from this spot...look for improvement. (8) ROL
LING WITH SAM was well meant in his last start of the year but ended up parked every step - elected to
race more conservatively in his 2023 return, but wound up trapped in the lane with no place to pace - he
feels like he's ready to do some damage...but can Kakaley get him in play from out here? (7) THEFLYING
ROCK really wasn't bad last week from an impossible spot, and he does turn in some pretty good efforts at
times - if you think Bartlett can get him in the hunt from out here, he's worth including on your tickets. (5)
CRUNCH HANOVER continues to drop, looking to find a class where he can contend - it may be tonight,
but we're still leaning towards others here. (1) SANTAFES COACH landed on a good trip last week and
turned it into a 3rd place finish - chance for another small share if things go his way again. (6) ALEX TYE
hung in a long way before tiring last week, and he does get to drop a peg for tonight - would have definitely
ranked him higher if not for the bad post. (4) NVESTMENT BLUECHIP was short last week...like most of
his barnmates.